Here are the top stories Friday in the AFC North:
- Jamison Hensley of The Baltimore Sun ranks the Ravens' 15 first-round picks since 1996.
Morning take: It's a talented list of mostly hits. Even the bottom portion of quarterback Joe Flacco (No. 11) and offensive lineman Ben Grubbs (No. 12) were solid first-round choices.
- According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Browns kicker Phil Dawson's absence from voluntary minicamp might be a contract situation.
Morning take: I reported back in September that Dawson wasn't happy with his deal. It's unknown if this absence is related, but there is definitely smoke.
- Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes about the Steelers' visit to the White House.
Morning take: President Barack Obama had the Steelers make 3,000 care packages for U.S. troops overseas, which is certainly a noble cause.
- Cincinnati Bengals receiver Laveranues Coles continues to learn a new system, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes.
Morning take: Coles and quarterback Carson Palmer are working overtime this offseason to develop chemistry. It will be interesting to see how this pair will look in game-type situations this season.
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after three seasons covering the Cleveland Browns for the Columbus Dispatch. He also covered the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Cavaliers at the Dispatch. Walker grew up in Hyattsville, Md., before attending Temple University, graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in communications and mass media. He resides in the Cleveland area.